KKR has lost the first three games in a row, but this is not the first time the team has faced three or more defeats
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are
suffering one of the worst starts in franchise history, having lost three of four games, with one ending in a no-result. Bottom of the table with only one point from the no-result game, the KKR fans are disappearing from the stadiums, but their hopes are still alive, given that the current situation is not the first time KKR has faced three or more defeats in a season.
🚨 KKR ARE STILL WINLESS ❌
Yet another big total posted by the effort of Rahane, Raghuvanshi, Green and Powell,
Yet again their bowlers BOTTLED IT. ⚠️
How can KKR come back this season?#IPL pic.twitter.com/lre0DTIRzR— Cricketangon (@cricketangon) April 9, 2026
In fact, the three-time IPL champion team had a poor start in all three years the team lifted the trophy, be it 2012, 2014 or 2024.
2012
Things were slightly different in 2012 when teams had 16 matches at their disposal to reach the playoffs. That season, KKR started off with two consecutive defeats, then won the third and fourth games. However, the fifth game again turned out to be a defeat. Even towards the end of the round-robin stage, KKR lost the 13th and 14th games, while one match was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
In IPL 2012, Kolkata Knight Riders lost their first two games but went on to become champions. In IPL 2026, they’ve started the same way—can they repeat those heroics? 👀#Cricket #KKR #Kolkata #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/Kicwt6hucX
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) April 3, 2026
Yet, KKR managed 10 victories from 16 matches and collected 21 points to reach the playoffs, securing second place.
2014
PEAK OF IPL MOMENT BY KKR🔥
- KKR losing 5 out of first 7 games in 2014
- Then winning 9 in the row to win the trophy
- World came to know what quality Gautam Gambhir has as captain 💜
- Still has the never give up attitude as Indian coach🔥🙌pic.twitter.com/W0oDd4IELh https://t.co/iG6QPI1pmq— Venky Mama (@venkymama100) February 28, 2026
2014 was even more wobbly for KKR at the beginning. The team started its campaign with a victory before losing the second match but then won the third. However, KKR lost four matches in a row, i.e., the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th matches – once again losing five matches out of 14 games. From the 8th match onwards, the team won all the remaining games to secure the second spot on the table with 18 points, four points behind the table-topper Kings XI Punjab.
2024
2024 was KKR's best season, when it lifted a trophy. The round-robin stage saw fewer fumbles, as the team lost only three games. However, rain washed away two of their matches. Yet, the team made it to the playoffs with 9 victories in 14 matches, including 3 losses and 2 abandoned games.
From champions to struggling, KKR have just 5 wins in 17 matches since their 2024 glory! 😳🏆
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) April 9, 2026
What’s going wrong for them, and can they bounce back tonight at home? 💜👀#IPL2026 #KKR #SKC #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/Uhy9Z9BA9M
In the ongoing season, KKR’s batting has been sloppy, but it is the bowling that has impacted KKR’s performance the most, leading to a series of disappointing results and missed opportunities to secure wins. Fortunately, the team’s next match is against the Chennai Super Kings, who are also struggling this season, so KKR could open its scorebook. Not to forget, Matheesha Pathirana has finally received a no-objection certificate to travel to India from the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), and therefore, in the upcoming games, he is expected to solve some of KKR’s problems.
KKR desperately needs to win, but there are still a few games in hand before the team can be completely written off from the tournament. And from this position, if the team reaches the playoffs, it will be nothing short of a miracle.
